Master Cleanse During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a crucial time to ensure that dietary needs are being met for optimal nutrition.

Some diets are excellent sources of complete nutrition, offering a wide range intake of vitamins, minerals, and proteins. Other diets aim for low caloric intake and should be avoided during pregnancy due to potentially harmful effects for mother and baby.

Pregnancy Nutrition

Balanced meals packed with vitamins and minerals are paramount for the pregnant mother. While nutritional needs may vary from trimester to trimester, there are some dietary requirements that do not change.

Some of the essential vitamins and minerals to focus on throughout pregnancy are calcium, folic acid and B-12. These, along with many other vitamins and minerals, are found in most prenatal supplements.

A major food group for pregnant women to focus on is protein. According to an article by Stamford Health System, protein intake for pregnant women should be increased by at least 10 grams per day.

Master Cleanse Overview

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The Master Cleanse is based on a diet in which participants do not eat, but drink a homemade lemonade drink. This drink is comprised of water, lemons, cayenne pepper and maple syrup. This drink is followed by a laxative of some sort--herbal tea or salt water--to help to rid the body of waste.

The purpose of the lemons is to rid the body of waste, the cayenne pepper rids the body of mucus, and due to the lack of eating during this diet, the maple syrup provides energy. According to its creators, the diet is made to slow the digestion system down, thereby facilitating full-body detox and weight loss, according to the Diet Channel.

Master Cleanse Pros and Cons

The Master Cleanse diet is not for everyone.

If weight loss is the goal for this diet, than it will not disappoint.

Due simply to the lack of caloric intake, the body will loose weight.

Along with the lack of calories comes the lack of dietary necessities, such as vitamins and minerals.

The diet lacks any sufficient carbohydrates, proteins, or fats that are also daily necessities, which can lead to people feeling sick and weak. People who are on any kind of medication and those with any health problems or concerns need to speak with their doctors prior to participating in this diet, the Diet Channel says.

Pregnancy and Master Cleanse

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The Master Cleanse focuses on drinking lemonade in lieu of eating food.

The daily caloric intake for someone on the Master Cleanse is minimal. For a pregnant woman, daily caloric intake needs to increase by 300 calories for a healthy pregnancy .

Along with the loss of calories on the Master Cleanse comes the loss of essential vitamins and minerals necessary for baby and mom. The Master Cleanse may work for some, but to attempt this diet while pregnant is imprudent and dangerous, according to a posting on faqs.org.

Appropriate Pregnancy Diets

Pregnancy is a time for expected weight gain, but that does not mean that it is unhealthy. According to nutritionists, a diet as extreme as the Master Cleanse during pregnancy is not advised, but a pregnant woman can ensure that she is gaining a healthy weight.

Eating a diet full of vitamin enriched fruits and vegetables along with lean proteins is the optimal way to establish healthy weight gain. Not only will a diet rich in live foods--foods such as fruits and vegetables--help to maintain healthy weight, but due to their fiber content they will help to cleanse the body appropriately to keep mother and baby in excellent health.